Best GPS under $300 ?

[blaze one]

I need a gps , hand held or not that I can load my local street maps and foresty road maps into . I have never owned a gps unit before , so i really don't know what im talking about . But i know what i want to use it for .
Let me know what would be my best choice .

 

[paulj]

I'm not sure what you mean by load your maps. Are you talking about print maps that you intend to scan, or ones that are already in digital format?

I'd suggest, for a start, go to a store that has demo GPS units on display, and explore the maps that they already have. Start with one intended for use in a car. Garmin seems to have an intuitive user interface. I suspect all of your local roads are already present in the builtin database. I'm not so sure about BC foreest roads. I would guess that if you can find the road on Google Maps (online) then an auto-oriented GPS unit (with Canadian maps) would have it.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

I need a gps , hand held or not that I can load my local street maps and foresty road maps into . I have never owned a gps unit before , so i really don't know what im talking about . But i know what i want to use it for .
Let me know what would be my best choice .

Hi there fellow canuck. Best way to do this is:

There are 5 GPS manufactures that are pretty well know , Garmin (the biggest, most stuff available, third party stuff, file formats, etc.) , Delorme, Magellan, Tom Tom, Lowarance,; each has their website divided for mobile (hand held) as well as automotive (with attachments to car (suction, brackets, etc.).

Most have comparison page where on can check off the interested ones and compare with each to see the diff.

Once you have decided which ones come to the top, probably 2-3 maybe even from the same maker, then go to a local GPS shop and see them in person, don't buy until you have a good feeling about the one you want.

Places to buy, Costco, Sam's, Walmart, Best Buy, etc or the local GPS shop or on line GPS shops, etc. I found that you can buy one on ebay for less, partly used but in relatively good shape. ebay has good insurance so don't feel like it isn't worth it and secure. I bought mine there.

Now, what to look for in a GPS? Hmmmm? Screen size, voice, non proprietary memory card use (you want to stay to SD cards as they are most available and up to 4 GB and higher (if the GPS unit can take it) but remember to get fast memory (x2 or higher).SOme max out at 2GB, some have only internal memory and no card application except for music and photos. Why one would want this I do not know? Get a GPS for GPS stuff and that's it. KISS!

Definitely get one with recharging capability (most do) look for anything with lithium rather than NiCD, better, last longer and will recharge tons.

Also keep in mind where you want to mount it in your car (suction and brackets) or carry it in you. get one with antenna built in, most newer ones have this with an option for detachable one as an accessory.

These days you should be able to get one for under $300 easy!

Now for the data...most will come with some version of a navigation package already programmed. This will navigate you around towns and highways. You can add to this via purchases from the maker or third party for topo maps, marine barometric, etc.

YOu can scan data (got have a scanner for this) and know what you are doing to bring it into your GPS via your PC. Most makers have programming software and map installation software but there are third parties as well.

Hopefully this helps some what but you get the idea that it can get pretty technical quickly. So, stay to what you need/want to do and then go from there as your capabilites and desires take you. Good luck...my $0.02!

 

[opie]

I didnt think I would be able to provide an opinion untill last night.

My 60csx doesnt want to aquire any satellites. Everything else works fine. I havent used it in a month. SO..its less than a year old so I should be able to get Garmin to cover its repair...in the mean time however Ive been looking.

For the money, I think the Garmin Vista hcx looks to be a very nice handheld. Albeit a bit on the small side for the screen, it is manageable. One can be picked up off Ebay for as low as $207 shipped. One seller has a bundle of the Vista, Topo 2008 and a 2 gig card for $309+ $20 shipping. You can do better than the bundle price if you buy each item seperate. Ive seen the topo on Ebay for as low as $70 shipped and a 2 gig card for $15 shipped.

I wouldnt recommend a Magellan product. I personally havent had good luck with them.

 

[paulj]

If you want Canadian roads, be careful about buying online. Some of the less expensive auto-oriented units just have road data for the USA. Garmin's Topo has trails and backroads, but there separate US and Canada products.

Another important distinction: do you want the unit to just show where you are against a background map, or do you want it to give you turn by turn directions on how to get someplace. Handheld units are good for showing where you are (and where you have been). They can also give you straightline direction and distance to various points. Units intended for car use have road route finding abilities. You may have to go above $300 to get route finding software in a handheld.

 

[opie]

If you want Canadian roads, be careful about buying online. Some of the less expensive auto-oriented units just have road data for the USA. Garmin's Topo has trails and backroads, but there separate US and Canada products.

Another important distinction: do you want the unit to just show where you are against a background map, or do you want it to give you turn by turn directions on how to get someplace. Handheld units are good for showing where you are (and where you have been). They can also give you straightline direction and distance to various points. Units intended for car use have road route finding abilities. You may have to go about 300 to get route finding software in a handheld.

The Vista hcx has auto routing capability as does the 60 csx. There are many handhelds that offer routing abilities. Granted you have to purchase the software.